On a windy morning a few weeks ago we scouted out the lower reaches of the Eany Water between Ballymacahil bridge and Inver bridge. Numerous pools and runs along this section make it popular with anglers, and consequently there is good access along the eastern bank. Fisheries Ireland even have a handy guide and map.
A delightful path wends its way along the river, interleaving sections of wooden walkway, stiles and steps, with little excursions up the bank and through adjoining woodland. The riverside vegetation is largely intact: a varied mixture of mature deciduous woodland, scrub and overgrown hedgerows, with a rich ground flora. Occasional wet meadows open up in places, such as beside Hughies Pool.
Arriving early beside the water, we’d only walked a short distance before splashing on the opposite side of the river alerted us to a pair of otters frolicking about, before they disappeared into what looked the entrance to their holt. Further on we came across fresh otter scat. Some of the higher banks are pocked with extensive badger setts amongst the trees: outside of one entrance was a fresh latrine.
Having surveyed this river for Dippers for the 2007-11 Bird Atlas, it was wonderful to catch sight of them again several times as we walked along—the habitat is ideal. The section downstream of Bonnyglen Falls is, strictly-speaking, outside of G88 but we wandered as far as Inver bridge on the off-chance of glimpsing a kingfisher—but no sign.
Upstream of Bonnyglen Falls the path meanders through mature beech and small pockets of native woodland in Cranny Upper. This woodland features in the National Survey of Native Woodlands and is described as:
“WN2 oak-ash-hazel with Hazel (Corylus avellana) being the dominant tree found throughout the woodland. Mature Birch (Betula pubescens), Holly (Ilex aquifolium) and Alder (Alnus glutinosa) are also frequent throughout with Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) also being occasional.
Typical ground flora species include herbs such as Filipendula ulmaria, Geranium robertianum, Geum urbanum, Oxalis acetosella, Primula vulgaris, Sanicula europaea and Circaea lutetiana. Grassy swards are also frequent containing species such as Agrostis capillaris, A. stolonifera, Deschampsia cespitosa, Carex sylvatica and C. remota. An even diversity of moss species is also present with Thuidium tamariscinum and Eurhynchium striatum being the main moss species. Several wet flushes occur and in these areas species such as Chrysosplenium oppositifolium and Equisetum sylvaticum appear.”
Poking our noses into damp recesses and bankside holes revealed interesting collections of bryophytes.
As the sun finally came out, we emerged into a clear-felled area, eventually giving way to more open ground as we got closer to Ballymacahil Bridge—blanket bog edged with Birch, Gorse and Bog Myrtle .
With the strong breeze, there weren’t many insects in flight, although we did catch rather distant glimpses of what looked like an Andrena species of bee.
Despite failing dismally on our mission to record the first ladybird in G88, it was great to confirm that this interesting part of the square is readily accessible, and deserving of some serious attention during our BioBlitz in May.
The event will run on 24 and 25 May 2024 in the Bluestack Mountains. Find out all the details on our website at www.donegalbioblitz.ie or email us at donegalbioblitz@gmail.com
Leah and John
